King family of musicians

Graeme Skinner (University of Sydney),
"King family of musicians",
Australharmony (an online resource toward the history of music and musicians in colonial and early Federation Australia):
http://sydney.edu.au/paradisec/australharmony/king-family.php; accessed 17 October 2017

KING FAMILY OF MUSICIANS

Edward KING (1814-1894)

Thomas KING (d.1881)

Henry John KING (senior)

*

Henry John KING (junior)

Edward Mendelssohn Bach KING

George Frederick KING

George Oscar KING

Charles Horatio KING

And several more

THIS ENTRY A STUB TO BE REVISED

Summary (family):

Most, perhaps all, of these singers and instrumentalists belonged to a single extended family, active in Melbourne from 1854.
There are certainly duplications, and in due course, the more important of them will have individual entries.
For now, however, with a view to fathoming their relationships with each other (or, in one or two instances, perhaps not), a single family entry must suffice.

According to a much later biography of Henry John King junior, born in
Melbourne in 1855, his parents Mr. and Mrs. Henry J. King senior
arrived in Melbourne on board the Indian Queen, a clipper ship
that sailed to and from Liverpool in 1853-55.

In the Argus in June 1854, "MR. EDWARD KING, leader at the Salle de Valentino"
advertised that he "provides Bands for Quadrille Parties. Harp, violin,
piano, guitar, taught". Immediately beneath appeared an ad by "MR.
THOMAS KING, late First Clarionet, Surry Theatre, London,
Leader Montpellier Band, Cheltenham, and Second Somerset Militia Band,
Bath, provides bands and teaches music." "MR. E. KING" gave his second
grand concert at the Marco Polo Hotel, Melbourne, in July 1854, and
"Mons. E. King", professor of music and piano tuner, advertised his
removal to Emerald Hill in January 1855.

By October 1856, Edward was
leading the band under George Loder for Anna Bishops Melbourne concerts.
He led the band of the Melbourne Philharmonic in 1857 and 1860, and
played second violin to Miska Hauser in a Beethoven quartet at the
latter's Melbourne concert in February 1857. A "Mr. T. King" was also a
clarinet player in Ballarat in 1858-59. In April 1858, he and several
colleagues accepted a challenge from a rival Ballarat Band:

MR. T. KING, leader of the Montezuma Band, and five others are prepared to
accept the challenge of the Star Band, if there is no shenanigan. Three
Events. String band, wind band, man to man, as soloists. The best of two
events to received the stakes of [pounds] 100. T. KING, Specimen Hill,
Ballarat, 21st April, 1858.

Back in July 1854, the Argus reported that Mr. King, the clarionettist, and his daughter
Miss Juliana King appeared with Fleury's band at the Salle de
Valentino in July 1854; Juliana (actually daughter of Edward King)
according to the paper "a young lady nine years of age, who, I was told,
appeared for the first time in Melbourne ... was quite a favourite at
Bristol, and ought to be heard to better advantage than in a large
canvas-covered building like the Salle de Valentino". During 1855, she
was billed as "the Infant Sappho" (to Swannell's "Australian
Nightingale"). By the 1860s, she was singing regularly in oratorio, both
in Melbourne and Ballarat.

In July 1857, one "J. HALL" begged "leave to
inform the friends of Mr. Henry J. King, Organist,
Pianist, and Singer, that he is expected to arrive at Melbourne in a few
days by the ship Commodore Perry, with a choice selection of new Music".
In November 1857, H. J. King [senior] appeared as pianist for Maria
Chalker and violinist George Peck, while "Mr. King (of the Bath
Concerts)", presumably Edward, led the orchestra conducted by John
Russell for the Melbourne Philharmonic.

In January 1859, H. J. King
advertised as "Professor of the Organ, Pianoforte, and Singing, teacher
at the Church of England Grammar School" from his home in Nelson-place,
Emerald Hill. E. King, violin and H. J. King, piano, appeared together
in a concert with clarinettist Gustav Faure at the Wesleyan Bazaar,
Emerald Hill, in December 1863. Several members of the King family
played leading roles in the premiere of George Tolhurst's Ruth
in Prahran in January 1864.

Born in Melbourne in 1855 Henry John
King junior was in Portland, Victoria, in 1873, where he was
organist of St. Stephen's Church and a teacher of music, but by April
1876 he had reportedly been at Castlemaine for two years where he was
conductor of the Castlemaine Philharmonic Society. In May 1876, the Launceston Examiner reported that his father: "Mr. H. J. King, of
Melbourne, professor of music, advertises that he proposes taking up his
residence in Launceston shortly. Mr. King was organist of St. James's
Cathedral, and music master of the Church of England Grammar School. He
has also been piano-conductor for the Italian-Opera Company", though the
report went on to confuse King senior with his son.

This confusion was clarified
when a new song, Wait and Hope was published in
September 1876, when the Launceston Examiner reported: "The
words are by Eliza Anna King, and the music has been composed by Mr
Henry John King, son of Mr. King, of this town"; and in the Melbourne
Argus: "composed by Henry John King, of Castlemaine, on words
written by Eliza Anna King. Mr. King is a rising musician, and one of
the well-known King family of Melbourne." In 1888, he won the
competition for the Inaugural Cantata for the
Centennial International Exhibition in Melbourne (see
http://trove.nla.gov.au/work/11434410). He dedicated his
Te Deum and Jubilate in D
to his brother Edward Mendelssohn Bach King, who from
around 1890 until his death in 1918 was organist of Newcastle Cathedral,
NSW.

The death of Mr.
Edward King is announced. The deceased gentleman was of an illustrious
family, having on his father's side come from John of Gaunt, son of
Edward III by his wife Philippe of Hainault, and on his mother's side
from the Earl of Tyron, the O'Neills-Kings of Ireland and peers of
England. The Age says: - The announcement of the death of Mr. Edward King,
a veteran violinist, who for nearly 30 years led the orchestra of the
Melbourne Philharmonic Society, will occasion widespread regret. Some
months ago Mr. King, who belonged to a family of musicians well known in
many parts of the colony, removed from Melbourne to Kyabram, and it was
there that his demise took place. Mr. King was born in Bristol, in
England, in the year 1814, just before the battle of Waterloo, and
consequently had reached the ripe age of 80 years. In early childhood he
developed great talent for music, and even at 14 years of age was a
proficient player, not only of stringed instruments, but also of the
clarionet, oboe and flute, all of which he learned without the aid of a
master. He subsequently had the advantage of playing under the old
English leaders, Loder, Balfe, Cramer and others. He arrived in Victoria
in 1854 in the Black Ball liner, the Indian Queen, commanded by Captain
Mills, and was immediately engaged to take part in the concerts which
were taking place at that time, and which were of a very high class
character. He shortly became leader of the Philharmonic Society, and
only during the last few years retired from the position. Mr. King was
undoubtedly the father of the profession in this colony. He was twice
married, his first wife and only daughter being among those who were
lost by the sinking of the London in the Bay of Biscay some 29 years
ago, as they were returning to Melbourne after a visit to England.
During the rehearsal of the Melbourne Liedertafel on Monday night, Mr.
H. J. King, the conductor, announced the death of his uncle, Mr. Edward
King, who was the oldest musician in this colony, and for over 40 years
had quietly and honestly served his art. The choir then sang its "death
song," each member of the choir rising as a tribute of respect to a
familiar and honored name.

The death is
announced of Mr. H. J. King, one of a large family of musicians who
established themselves in Melbourne as far back as 1854. The only one
now living is Mr. Edward King, the violinist, of South Yarra. The late
Mr. H. J. King had been living in retirement in Newcastle, New South
Wales, recently, but was for nearly fifteen years the organist in St.
James's Cathedral, Melbourne, and for about the same period of time
professor of music in the Church of England Grammar School, which he
entered on its foundation. Mr. King's eldest son is the composer of the
cantata for the inauguration of the Melbourne Centennial Exhibition. Mr.
King received his musical education in England, having studied for years
with the late
Dr. Corfe, and afterwards receiving lessons in orchestration from
Sir Michael Costa.

The Ballarat
Star reports that Mr. Thomas King, for many years a musical leader in
theatres, died suddenly last week. "His history is the history of
dramatic art in Ballarat. His arrival dates 26 years back, when, after
some years' service as a musician in Melbourne, he came to Ballarat as
clarionet player in the band at the Victoria Theatre, then owned by
Messrs. Moodie and Smith. Lola Montes was the attraction at the theatre
at the time. From the Victoria Mr. King went to the Montezuma as leader,
"Johnny" Hydes being manager. Here he not only officiated as leader, but
composed the music for a series of burlesques which were produced. From
the Montezuma, he gravitated to the Royal, and there for years he led
the orchestra. His experiences were various, and the story of his life
from year to year would indeed be a perfect chronicle of theatrical
affairs in our city. No playgoer will readily forget "poor Tom King;" no
musician who ever served with him in an orchestra, no man who ever met
with him apart from his occupation as a musician, not one person who
knew him, will refuse the tribute of sorrow to one whose disposition was
tempered by the art he loved, and rendered lovable and kindly. Mr, King
was a native of Clifton, near Bristol, and was 61 years of age. He has
many relatives in the colony. Mrs. A. T. Turner is his sister; Mr.
Edward King, violinist, of Melbourne, his brother; and several relatives
are well known in musical circles.

Mr. George Frederick King and Mr. E. M. B. King, brothers of Mr. H. J. King,
the conductor of the Melbourne Liedertafel, leave Sydney for Europe and America this week, and it was resolved at a meeting of the musical
committee of the Melbourne Liedertafel last night to accredit Mr. G. F. King and to give him representative powers during his tour.
Mr. King has been requested to furnish the Liedertafel with details relating to musical life abroad,
and to make special reference to music at the forthcoming Chicago Exhibition from a musician's point of view.

Obituary: The death occurred recently at Mosman, at the age of 62, of Mr. George F. King, who for 32 years was a prominent musician in the northern district.
A member of a well-known musical family, he proceeded to West Maitland as organist and choirmaster of St. Mary's Anglican Church in 1895.
For 32 years he occupied the dual office.
In 1917 he took up duty as choirmaster and organist at St. Clement's, Mosman.
During his long residence in Maitland he associated himself with every movement that had for its object the advancement of music.
He was conductor of several musical societies.
He has left a widow, two sons, and one daughter.
The funeral took place from his late residence, Wongalee, Raglan-street, Mosman.

On Tuesday, 13th inst., Mr. C. Horatio King paid a visit to Kyabram, where a grand concert was given by Mr. G. Oscar King.
The violin playing of Mr. C. H. King took the audience completely by storm.
The difficulties in double stopping, octaves, chromatics, single and double harmonics with pizzicato and arpeggio runs were surmounted with consummate ease,
and he was recalled three times to bow his acknowledgments, although it was stated on the programme that "owing to the length of programme no encores would be allowed."
His selections were - " Souvenir de Haydn" (Leonard), "Legende" (Wieniawski) and mazurka "Bendigonia" (C. H. King).
Miss Heine, our popular soprano, sang Tosti's "Good-bye," and Pinsutis "Sleep on, Dear Love," with expression and refinement, and was compelled to return again to the platform.
Mr. George Oscar King played Ries' fine pianoforte concerto in C sharp minor, and was accompanied on a second pianoforte,
the accompaniment part being arranged from the orchestral score by Mr. King.
To keep the audience so interested for 35 minutes through such a work reflects great credit upon Mr. King.
The remainder of the programme consisted of Haydn's Kinder Symphony, rendered by 30 young ladies; Schubert's fine songs, "A Sailor's Farewell," "Storm in the Woods," "Wanderer,"
sung respectively by Messrs. Lee and Ponsford; Rubinstein's "Wishes" and Schubert's "Who is Sylvia," sung by Messrs. Ponsford and Evans, of Echuca and Rochester.
Miss Connell (Rochester) obtained a remarkable success in Liszt's "Thou Art Like a Flower" and Lassen's "I Wander 'mid the Flow'rets"
bracketed together, and F. Schumann's "Evening Song " (which has been so beautifully transcribed for the violin by Wilhelmj), sung during the latter part of the programme.
Mr. King brought out some of his own pupils, who showed future promise, he playing the various accompaniments.
The Mechanics' Institute was well filled with visitors from all parts, and the concert is spoken of as the finest entertainment
yet given in the valley of the Goulburn/

We have received from Mr. George Oscnr King two very clever musical puzzle cards in which the complete music scale of C major,
and the names of the composers, Bach and Gade appear written in one note. This is effected by a very skilful arrangement of the different clefs
and the crossing of the staff by which the one single note appears on the middle line of the staff for all the required notes of the scale and the letters comprising the words
"Bach" and "Gade." Should suffcient inducement offer he will be pleased to take up his residence in Sunshine, to continue again his profession which was laid aside for some
time owing to the indifferent health of Mrs. King. She passed away recently, and his medical adviser has ordered him to a complete change,
and to resume his profession for activity, and to remove from him the painful associations under which he has been living for the past twelve months.
Mr. King has a magnificent library of rare and expensive theoretical works in every department of musical literature, possessing also rare manuscripts
from the pen of many famous composers, among them being a sonata for violin and pianoforte by Pio Cianchettini, written specially for Paganini,
and a full score violin concerto by Charles Edward Horsley, the great friend and pupil of Mendelsshon.
Mr. King was engaged for many years in the compilation of a musical chart to embrace at one view a "complete" music "theory."
Bad health prevented the work from being completed. It is a stupendous piece of work, and can be seen at our office for a limited time.
It is quite well worth seeing by our resident music teachers, and musical folk. We would decidedly give Mr. King a hearty welcome to come and
reside with us, whose father, was solo violinist and director of concerts of the Bristol Harmonic Society in 1830,
and who played under the baton of Cooke, Balfe, Vincent Wallace; and was a great friend of the great Shakesperian actor, Macready, and all the celebrities of the day.
He was the first to introduce Schumann's great opus 44 piano quintett to Australia, and took "first violin" in it, in a performance in the Prahran Town Hall in the early sixties,
with Charles Edward Horsley at the piano. Mr. King is one of the very few musicians in Victoria who can remember the phenomenal pianoforte playing of Henri Ketten in the Opera
House, and if a resident in Sunshine could give most inteiresting lectures and addresses on music and the past eminent musicians who have visited our shores.

Sir, - Your correspondent, "A.M." (Hawthorn), asks if I am any relation of the
King family of musicians on the ship Indian Queen, which arrived in Melbourne in 1854; I am the last surviving
son of Edward King, who came out in that ship, accompanied by his brother's family, Mr. Henry King.
The last surviving son of Mr. Henry King is living in Sydney. The "Indian Queen" clipper ship of 2000 tons sailed from Liverpool
at 2.30 p.m. on Thursday, 19th January, 1854, under the captaincy of C. Mills, and arrived in Melbourne on Saturday,
22nd April. There were many passengers. A few in the saloon were the Misses Prince, Mintoe, McWhinney, Spiser, Mr. J. Thompson and family,
Messrs. Anderson, Ainslie, Bailey, Smith, Dansfleld, Holmes, Hawsley, Marks, the King family, upwards of 327 in the second saloon.
Willis, Merry and Co. were the agents. The ship was towed up from the Heads by the steam tug Washington, under the command of Pilot Ashby.
As the ship was brought to its anchorage the King family of musicians played Doctor Mackay's song, "There's a Good Time Coming."
The ship had crossed the line on 26th February, and on 8th March the Almora, from Liverpool to Portland, was "spoken."
On the 18th March the Ellen Castle was met, 120 days out. Your correspondent is quite correct about the ship's "adventurous" voyage.
And I may mention one very sad occurrence, the death by suicide of a passenger, a young man, who was very low-spirited, and appeared to be impressed with the idea that his business
of a plumber and glazier was not likely to be a prosperous one in Australia.
Upon the ship's anchorage Captain Mills received by an address, the unanimous thanks and good wishes of nearly 400 souls for his gentlemanly conduct
and kind bearing towards them during a passage of the wide ocean of 93 days. It is very regrettable that the diary your
correspondent mentions should have been destroyed by fire, for we have such few authentic records of early voyages to Australia that each one is of value and of
historical importance ...